WHL Bantam Draft

The Kelowna Rockets added 11 prospects to its stable of young players on Thursday in Calgary at the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft.

The Rockets picked four defencemen, including first overall pick Kaedan Korczak of Yorkton, SK at the draft of players born in 2001.

Kelowna opened the draft by trading its first round pick along with one of four third round picks to Red Deer to acquire the 11th overall selection, with which they selected Korczak. Korczak played midget AAA with the Yorkton Maulers last year, despite being only second year bantam age.

Along with the four blueliners, Kelowna also selected six forwards and a goaltender. Assistant General Manager Lorne Frey said building from the back end out has been a philosophy the club has had success with.

“We’ve had a philosophy for years that the back-end is very important,” said Frey. “You don’t win without some defencemen that can defend and also provide some offense. Kaedan is a big, solid, all around two-way player. He’s a good skater, he’s mobile and can play in every situation. He has a chance to be a stable defenceman for years for us.”

Here is the full list of the Rockets bantam draft picks with their position, hometown and team:

Vancouver, B.C. – The Vancouver Giants selected 11 players in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft on Thursday. See below for a breakdown of all the new prospects along with scouting reports on Vancouver’s top six draft picks from Giants Director of Player Personnel Jason Ripplinger.

“We’re very excited to add Bowen to our club as he was the number one player on our list. He’s a dynamic player with great offensive instincts. He also plays a good defensive game and is a very smart player overall.”
Player Stats: http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=326522

1st round (20th overall) – Trent Miner (G) Brandon Wheat Kings Bantam AAA
“We felt he was the best goalie in the draft. He’s a big goalie who covers a lot of the net. He’s very competitive with good rebound control.”
Player Stats: http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=351216

Prince George, B.C. – It was a historic day for the Prince George Cougars who added nine more players to the fold on Thursday at the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft. For the first time ever the Cougars selected ninth overall, and for the first time ever the Cougars selected a goaltender with their first round pick.

Taylor Gauthier (Calgary, AB) was heralded as one of the top goaltending prospects in recent memory, and the Cougars couldn’t pass up the chance to draft him with their first round selection.

“It was probably one of the best moments of my life,” said Gauthier shortly after the selection was made. He says that he tries to model his game after Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens. A fitting comparison considering Carey Price is the only WHL goaltender to have been selected faster in a WHL Bantam Draft (7th Overall, 2002).

“We felt that Taylor was the best player available at the time of our selection,” adds Cougars General Manager, Todd Harkins. “When you watch him play he’s exciting to watch. He makes saves that you don’t think he’s going to make. He’s so athletic and agile and he plays with a real fire, wanting to keep the puck out of the net and win hockey games.”

With their second round selection (31st overall) in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft, the Prince George Cougars chose defenceman Cole Beamin(Saskatoon, SK).

Beamin is 6’3”, 189 pounds and is a right handed shot who scored 10 goals, 12 assists and registered 64 penalty minutes in 30 games with the Saskatoon Outlaws Bantam AA program. He added one goal in five playoff games in 2016. His October birthday makes him eligible for the 2020 NHL Draft.

“Cole Beamin was a player that we had ranked far higher than where he ended up,” said Prince George Cougars Scouting Director Bob Simmonds. “He uses his size effectively, he’s got a tremendous shot from the point and he’s certainly a player that we feel will be a top tiered defenceman for us for many years to come. We couldn’t be happier to draft a player of Cole’s caliber and character.”

The Cougars grabbed another Saskatoon-born defenceman in the third round when they snagged defenceman Jack Michell.

In 2015-16, Michell (6’1”, 170 pounds) scored six goals, added 12 assists and added 60 penalty minutes in 30 games with the Saskatoon Stallions (Bantam AA). He also dressed in seven games as an underager for the Saskatoon Contacts of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA League.

“Jack Michell was too good an option to pass up at this point in the draft,” comments Cougars Saskatchewan scout Jason Gordon. “He’s tenacious. He moves the puck well, can handle himself physically and has some definite offensive upside. He’ll be a big piece of our puzzle on the back-end moving forward and we’re excited to have him.”

Michell and fellow Cougars 2016 draftee Cole Beamin have both committed to playing Midget AAA next season with the Saskatoon Contacts.

Starting in the fifth round the Cougars picked their first of four consecutive forwards. For their fifth pick they went to B.C. to draft Keegan Craik(Richmond, B.C.).

Craik stands 5’11”, weighs 150 pounds and registered 16 goals, six assists and 50 penalty minutes in 25 games with the Delta Hockey Academy Wild Bantam Prep Team. He added a goal and an assist in three playoff games.

“This is a great pickup for our organization,” said Prince George Cougars British Columbia scout Trevor Sprague. “Keegan plays the game with a lot of energy and physicality. He’s got a nose for the net and isn’t afraid to go to the tough areas to score goals. He’s got loads of upside and we were very happy that he was still available to us in Round Five.”

In Round 6 the Prince George Cougars further bolstered their forward corps with the selection of Jesse Mistelbacher (Iles Des Chenes, MB).

Mistelbacher is 5’11”, 150 pounds and finished the 2015-16 season with 16 goals, 25 assists and 18 penalty minutes with the Eastman Selects (Bantam AAA Manitoba). In two playoff games he added two goals and an assist.

“He’s a solid two-way player with strong offensive instincts, but he will also do anything to prevent a goal being scored against him,” said Bob Simmonds. “He’s thrilled to be selected by the Prince George Cougars.”

In the seventh round the Cougars had two picks close together and used them both on forwards. With the 142nd overall selection the Cougars were happy to select Edge Lambert (Grand Prairie, AB).

Lambert (5’10”, 160 pounds) played with the Notre Dame Hounds Bantam AAA team in 2015-16 and had 20 goals, 24 assists and 26 penalty minutes in 38 games. In three games with the Notre Dame Hounds Midget AAA team, Lambert registered two goals and one assist.

“Cougars fans are going to love the way that Lambert competes,” comments Cougars Alberta scout Lyle Feser. “He’s the type of player who can break open a game offensively due to his speed and his skill. This is a great pick for us.”

Bolton checks in at 6’0” and 161 pounds and tallied 34 goals and 23 assists for 57 points in 46 games and was a +23 with the North Shore Winterclub Winterhawks. In 13 playoff games he added eight goals and seven assists for 15 points.

“Bolton is a talented and responsible forward that can put the puck in the net,” said Trevor Sprague. “He can be trusted in all situations and will be a big-time asset to our depth up front as we forge ahead.”

In Round 9 (163rd Overall) the Cougars went back to the blueline when they selected defenceman Eric Parker (Calgary, AB).

Parker is 5’9” and 135 pounds and had a goal and 19 assists for 20 points in 35 games with the Calgary Bisons (teammates with first round pick Taylor Gauthier). In nine playoff games he added two goals and three assists. He also played one game as an underager with the Calgary Rangers (Minor Midget AAA).

“Parker is a mobile defenceman who sees the ice very well,” said Bob Simmonds. “With Parker it’s all about upside and we feel like he’s got all of the tools to become a steady and reliable defenceman in the Western Hockey League.”

La Roue dressed in 25 games with the Delta Hockey Academy Wild Bantam Prep team where he registered one goal and three assists along with 12 penalty minutes. He played on the same team as forward Keegan Craik who was selected by the Cougars in Round 5.

“We feel very good about grabbing La Roue in the 10th Round,” adds Bob Simmonds. “He defends well, he plays the game with an edge and is another player that we had ranked much higher than where he was selected.”

Overall the Cougars made nine selections in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft: Four forwards, four defenceman and one goaltender. The Cougars chose three players from both B.C. and Alberta, two from Saskatchewan and one from Manitoba.

Harkins adds, “I can’t say enough good things about our staff and the leg-work that they did to get us ready for this draft. They are so detailed and it makes my job easy as a General Manager. I am so proud of them and am so thankful that they are a part of this organization.”

CALGARY HITMEN SELECT 11 PLAYERS IN THE 2016 WHL BANTAM DRAFT

Calgary, AB – The Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club selected 11 players including five forwards, five defencemen and one goaltender in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft held today at Hotel Arts in Calgary.

The Hitmen drafted defenceman Jackson Van de Leest with their first pick, 16th overall. The Kelowna, BC product was the recipient of the 2016 Canadian Sport School Hockey League Bantam Prep Top Defenceman Award while skating with Yale Hockey Academy. The 6-5, 190-pound rearguard tallied 10 points (2g, 8a) in 23 games.

“We are very excited with our 2016 draft class and would like to welcome them to the organization,” said Hitmen Director of Player Personnel Dan Bonar. “They are all very good players with several strong traits that we believe will make our team stronger as we move forward. We look forward to seeing them at training camp this fall.”

SPOKANE, Wash. – The Spokane Chiefs selected forward Luke Toporowski with the eighth overall pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft on Thursday morning in Calgary. Toporowski, the first American-born player taken in the 2016 draft, is the younger brother of current Chief Jake Toporowski and son of former Chief Kerry Toporowski.

A 5-foot-10, 163-pound left wing from Bettendorf, Iowa, Toporowski played the 2015-16 regular season with the Chicago Mission Bantam Major AAA of the High Performance Bantam Hockey League. He scored 22 goals and 11 assists in 20 games, earning Top Scorer honors. He was also the top scorer at the 2015-16 Pat Quinn Classic Bantam Elite Tournament.

“We were very excited to pick Luke with the eighth pick of the draft,” said Chris Moulton, Spokane Chiefs’ Director of Player Personnel. “He is a very skilled forward who we expect to be an impact player in the Western Hockey League.”

In his WHL Prospect Profile interview earlier this week, Toporowski said that he tried to emulate NHL great and future Hall of Fame forward Alex Ovechkin. “He’s a great skilled power forward,” Toporowski noted. “I try to model my game after his.”

“Luke is a player who generates scoring chances for his team with his speed,” continued Moulton. “He impressed our staff with how he wants the puck and puts himself in a good position to receive it.

“He has a good hockey sense to find open ice and uses that to set up his teammates. We’re very excited to have Luke join our group.”

Moulton: “Van Impe sees the ice very well and has exceptional poise with the puck. He’s good in one-on-one battles and is a smart player. He has the ability to both run the power play and be a shut-down defender.”

2nd Round (39th Overall) – Carter Chorney, F

Chorney scored in bunches for the Sherwood Park Flyers BAAA team in Sherwood Park, Alberta, posting 31 goals and 35 assists in just 36 games. Chorney, listed as a right wing with a 6-foot, 170-pound frame, added 6 goals and 8 assists in the 2016 playoffs.

Beckman, a 5-foot-8, 139-pound forward from Saskatoon, Sask., scored at nearly a goal per game pace during the 2015-16 season, punching in 29 scores and adding 14 assists in 30 games with the Saskatoon Frostbite BAA. He then added 8 goals and 6 assists in 5 playoff contests.

Moulton: “Beckman caught our eye with the finish he had to his season, including a 5-goal game. He has a great scoring touch and instinct around the net.”

5th Round (107th Overall) – Ross Hawryluk, G

Standing at an imposing 6-foot-3 and 183 pounds, Hawryluk posted a .906 SV% in 1,306 minutes over 22 games for the Lloydminster Heat last season. Following the season, he was named the team’s MVP.

Moulton: “Hawryluk is a big man with all the physical tools needed to be an outstanding goaltender in the Western Hockey League. He plays with confidence and challenges shooters.”

6th Round (127th Overall) – Cyrus Toth, D

Toth is a 5-foot-11, 160-pound defenseman from Edmonton, Alberta, who played last season with the Edmonton SSAC BAAA club. In 34 games, he recorded 7 points (2g, 5a) while piling up 73 PIM.

Moulton: “Toth is a solid, steady defenseman who is sound in all areas of the game. He has a good first pass and makes good decisions.”

Moulton: “Leyh is a player that you don’t have to look for as he’s always around the puck. He brings a lot of energy and speed to the game and creates chances for his teammates using those two attributes.”

8th Round (162nd Overall) – Kurtis Labant, F

Labant racked up 88 PIM to go along with 34 points (19 goals and 15 assists) in 36 games with the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers BAAA club. With a late October 24 birthday, the young forward already comes in at 6-foot-2 and 181 points.

Moulton: “Labant is a very intimidating player with his size and physicality. He’s effective on the forecheck and finishes checks. He improved his skating throughout the year and has a heavy shot.”

9th Round (186th Overall) – Cordel Larson, F

Larson is a 5-foot-8, 158-pound forward out of Weyburn, Sask. He posted 30 points (11 goals and 19 assists) and 30 PIM in 38 games with the Notre Dame Hounds BAAA during the 2015-16 season.

Moulton: “Larson plays with speed and tenacity. He reads the play well and has a little bit of a greasy side to his game. He always knows where his teammates are.”

10th Round (206th Overall) – Jacob Hale, F

Hale is the second American player selected by the Chiefs in the 2016 draft. Out of Minneapolis, MN, in 14 games in the Minnesota High School system, he scored 14 goals and 5 assists.

Moulton: “Hale can play any type of game style and has a non-stop motor. He is relentless, finishes checks and can handle the puck in traffic. He is the type of player who makes those around him better.”

Players not selected in the Bantam Draft are then eligible to be listed by WHL clubs, with many being added to WHL Club Protected Player Lists as spots become available.

Ticket packages for the 2016-17 regular season are already on sale! With packages starting as low as $110, there’s a plan for any budget. Visit the Chiefs’ Ticket Office in person at the southeast corner of Spokane Arena or call 509-535-PUCK for more information.

In the first round, 15th overall the Blazers selected forward Massimo Rizzo from Burnaby. The 5’11” forward had 137 points in 61 games this season.

In the second round, the Blazers went to Saskatchewan to chooseConnor Zary from Saskatoon. The 5’10” forward had 81 points in 30 games this season.

The Blazers selected one player in the third and fourth rounds and two players in the fifth round. After not having picks in the sixth or seventh round, the hockey club chose one player each in rounds eight, nine, 10, 11 and 12.

Among the 11 selections, the Blazers chose six forwards, four defensemen and one goaltender. Five players are from Saskatchewan, four players from B.C. and two players are from Alberta.

Here is a brief synopsis and quote from Director of Player Personnel, Matt Recchi, on each player chosen:

Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats Hockey Club added six new prospects, one by trade, during rounds 5-11 of the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft.

In the fifth round (108th overall), the Pats added defenceman Michael Ladyman (5’9”, 126lbs). The Winnipeg, MB native played with the Winnipeg Monarchs this season, totaling 44 points (5G, 39A) in 35 games through the Manitoba Bantam AAA season.

In the sixth round, the Pats dealt their 121st overall pick (plus conditional picks) to the Everett Silvertips in exchange for prospect forward Nick Henry (’99). The Portage la Prairie, MB product was the 2016 MJHL Rookie of the Year, posting 61 points (26G, 35A) in 50 games with the Portage Terriers.

The Pats went to B.C. for their eighth round pick (165th overall) selecting forward Logan Nijhoff (5’10”, 156 lbs). Nijhoff was an alternate captain with the OHA Bantam Prep squad and posted 13 points (4G, 9A) in 20 games of CSSHL action. The Comox Valley, B.C. product also played two games of midget with OHA 15s, picking up a pair of assists in two games.

With their ninth round pick, the Blue and White picked American forward Kaden Bohlsen (6’0”, 157lbs). Bohlsen, who has verbally committed to the University of Minnesota, posted 58 points (32G, 26A) in 60 games with Shattuck St. Mary’s Bantam Tier 1 team.

Into the 10th round the Pats used the 209th overall pick to select defenceman Ryker Evans (5’4”, 114 lbs). The Calgary, AB product put up 19 points (3G, 16A) in 36 games with the Calgary Royals of the AMBHL. He also played five games in the AMMHL with CRAA Blue, registering four assists.

CALGARY, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club completed the 2016 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft by selecting a total of 12 players including six forwards, four defenseman and two goaltenders.

With their first round draft pick, 19th overall, the Hurricanes selected forward Dylan Cozens from the Delta Hockey Academy. The 6’2, 159-pound centreman is originally from Whitehorse, Yukon. In 25 games with Delta this season, Cozens recorded 31 points (19g-12a) along with 18 penalty minutes while adding six points (5g-1a) in three post-season games.

“Cozens is a big kid that has some skill. He’s a centreman that we look forward to adding to our club one day,” said Hurricanes General Manager Peter Anholt. “We were happy to get him where we did [at 19]. We had him earmarked.”

With their second round pick, 41st overall, the Hurricanes selected defenseman Nolan Jones from the Moose Jaw Warriors Bantam AAA. In 28 games, the Moose Jaw product recorded 44 points (24g-20a) along with 100 penalty minutes. He also added six points (1g- 5a) in 11 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors Midget AA squad.

Prior to the third round, the Hurricanes traded goaltender Jayden Sittler along with the 107th overall pick to the Spokane Chiefs for the 52nd and the 140th overall picks. The team then selected defenseman Kirby Proctor 52nd overall from the Pursuit of Excellence. In 25 games, Proctor recorded 17 points (4g-13a).

In the fourth round, 85th overall, the Hurricanes took goaltender Josh Langford from the Dallas Stars Bantam AAA who had a 2.61 goals against average and a .905 save percentage this season. With 99th overall pick, the team selected another defenseman taking rearguard Alex Cotton from the Yale Hockey Academy.

“It was important for us to add a goalie. I would’ve liked to pick one earlier, but some goalies went too soon for us to make a move,” said Anholt. “Brent and Rob have seen [Langford] play and we feel he has some upside.”

In the sixth round, 129th overall, the ‘Canes selected forward Evan Ladouceur. They followed it up by selecting twin brothers Justin and Adam Hall with the 140th and the 158th overall selections. In the eighth round, the Hurricanes elected to take another goaltender selecting Carter Wickson with the 173rd overall pick.

With two picks in the ninth round, the Hurricanes took forward Max Neill 184th and defenseman Conrad Solypa at 195th overall. In round ten, the Hurricanes picked forward Skylar Gutierrez with the 217th overall pick; he is the younger brother of former Hurricanes forward Justin Gutierrez.

The Hurricanes concluded the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft by passing in rounds 11 and 12.

Recapping Warriors 2016 WHL Bantam Draft

The Moose Jaw Warriors completed the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft by making 11 selections, which included five forwards, five defenseman, and one goalie. Breaking down the selections by province, they selected one player from Saskatchewan, seven from Alberta, and three from British Columbia.

The Warriors started their day by trading the 12th overall pick to the Brandon Wheat Kings for the 21st overall pick in the draft, as well as Brandon’s 3rd round pick and their 6th round pick.

With the 21st overall pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft, the Moose Jaw Warriors selected Brayden Tracey from the Calgary North Stars (AMBHL). In 33 games Tracey had 36 goals, 25 assists, 61 points, and 40 penalty minute. At the 2016 Albert Cup, Tracey led the tournament with eight goals in four games and finished tied for first in scoring with ten points.

In the 3rd round, 64th overall, the Warriors selected defenseman Austin Herron. Herron, 6’3.5 180lbs, is from Abbotsford, BC and had one goal, three points, and 44 penalty minutes in 21 games with the Yale Hockey Academy.

Moose Jaw had three picks in the 5th round, which started with forward Jakin Smallwood who was selected 91st overall. Smallwood, 5’10 160lbs, is from Leduc, Alberta and had 28 goals and 59 points in 35 games with the Leduc Oil Kings in the AMBHL.

With their 2nd pick in the 5th round, 99th overall, they selected Calgary defenseman Matthew Sanders. Playing last season with the Calgary Bisons (AMBHL), Sanders, 6’1.5 185lbs, had seven goals and 17 points in 36 games.

They closed out the 5th round with the 105th overall pick, which they used to draft forward Josh O’Keefe. O’Keefe, 5’10 140lbs, played last season with the Burnaby Winter Club, who won gold at the 2016 Western Canada Bantam Championships.

The 6th round was the Warriors busiest with four picks in the round. It started with goaltender Ethan Fitzgerald, who was selected 115th overall. Last season with the Calgary Flames in the AMBHL, Fitzgerald (5’11.5 150lbs) posted a record of 6-10-1 with a 3.31gaa, an .895sv%, and four shutouts.

Four picks later at 119th overall, the Warriors drafted Saskatoon forward Cole Nagy. Nagy, 5’11 160lbs, had 21 goals and 44 points in 30 games with the Generals in the SBAAHL.

Two picks later with the 121st overall selection, the Warriors called defenseman Alek Sukunda. Sukunda, 5’11 172lbs, is from Burnaby, BC and won a Western Canada Bantam Championship gold medal last season with the Burnaby Winter Club.

Moose Jaw closed out the sixth round by selecting defenseman Konor Campbell 130th overall. Campbell, 5’8.5 150lbs, is from Edmonton and played last season with the Knights of Columbus in the AMBHL. In 34 games he had eight goals and 24 points.

With the 149th overall pick, the Warriors drafted forward Dylan Nevil in the seventh round. Nevil, 5’11 165lbs, is from Taber, Albert and had 15 goals and 33 points in 26 games with Lethbridge in the AMBHL.

Moose Jaw finished the day with one pick in the 8th round, drafting defenseman Drae Gardiner 165th overall. Gardiner, 5’7 145lbs, is from Calgary and played Bantam AA last season with the Calgary Wranglers, posting 23 goals and 39 points in 30 games.

The Class of 2016 will join other Warriors prospects in Moose Jaw for the teams annual Prospect Camp May 19 – 22.

Moose Jaw traded their 9th and 10th round picks to Kelowna for an 8th round pick in 2018. They also traded 1998-born forward Blake Bargar to Victoria for a conditional draft pick.